Anonymous Saints player rips DC Steve Spagnuolo

A Saints player suggested that first-year defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo should have been fired following the defense’s struggles in 2012. The Saints finished last in the league in total defense and set a single-season record for most yards allowed.

“To give up what we have up can’t be all talent,” the player told The Times-Picayune[1]. “Look at where his units [have] been ranked before. I think one top 10?”

The player said Spagnuolo was unwilling to listen to his charges and alienated them.

“Players have no say in anything,” the player said. “It was [a] complete opposite from before where it was a simple D that players had lot of control and say. We couldn’t suggest [expletive]. … Nothing ever changed. It was his way only.

“Don’t even get me started on lack [of] ability to adjust during games. Bad, bad, bad.”

Spagnuolo replaced Gregg Williams, who left for the Rams but then was suspended for his role in the Saints’ bounty scandal. Spagnuolo apparently didn’t make the same connection with the players.

“He does have that good-guy persona, but he is a control freak and treats people like crap,” the player said. “[Spagnuolo has] no patience and zero personality. [He] has a way of pissing players and our defensive coaches off with how he says and does things. [I] think it’s even harder after having Gregg, who guys enjoyed.”